AP-TX--Texas Sports Digest 12 am, TX

December 3, 2018

Good morning! Here’s a look at AP’s Texas sports coverage. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the AP Dallas bureau at 972-991-2100, or at 1-800-442-7189. Email aptexas@ap.org

Reminder: This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories and digests will keep you up to date. All times are Central.

HOUSTON — Deshaun Watson threw a touchdown pass and the Houston Texans intercepted rookie Baker Mayfield three times, returning one for a score, to extend their franchise-record winning streak to nine games with a 29-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Texans (9-3), who opened the season 0-3, haven’t lost since Sept. 23 to take a commanding lead atop the AFC South. By Kristie Rieken. SENT: 640 words, with photos.

COLLEGE:

FBC--COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

Faced with a tricky choice, the College Football Playoff selection committee fell back on some simple criteria: One loss is better than two. Winning a conference championship is better than not. Go with the team that didn’t get blown out. Oklahoma is in the playoff, moving into the fourth and final spot Sunday after avenging its only loss by winning the Big 12 championship against Texas. The Sooners (12-1) will face No. 1 Alabama (13-0) in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 29. No. 2 Clemson (13-0) plays No. 3 Notre Dame (12-0) in the Cotton Bowl on the same day. The winners meet in the championship game on Jan. 7 in Santa Clara, California. By Ralph D. Russo. SENT: 730 words, with photos.

With:

— FBC--T25-AP TOP 25

FBC--COTTON BOWL

ARLINGTON, Texas — Clemson is getting a new bowl experience and a playoff first-timer for its fourth consecutive College Football Playoff appearance. The ACC champion Tigers (13-0, No. 2 CFP) will play Notre Dame (12-0, No. 3 CFP) in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29 at AT&T Stadium. While Notre Dame is the first independent team to make the playoff, the Irish went undefeated with 10 wins over Power Five teams. By Stephen Hawkins. SENT: 430 words, with photos. Will be updated.

FBC--SUGAR BOWL

Georgia was oh-so-close to knocking off top-ranked Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. Instead, the Bulldogs must settle for an intriguing matchup against Texas in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day in New Orleans. It’s the first time the powerhouse programs have played since squaring off in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 2, 1984. By David Brandt. SENT: 450 words, with photos.

...

BASKETBALL:

NBA:

BKN--CLIPPERS-MAVERICKS

DALLAS — Clippers vs. Mavericks. 650 words, with photos.

BKN--TRAIL BLAZERS-SPURS

SAN ANTONIO — Trail Blazers vs. Spurts. 650 words, with photos.

COLLEGE/MEN:

BKC--T25-TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI-TENNESSEE

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 6 Tennessee prepared for its showdown with Gonzaga by posting its second straight lopsided victory at home. Admiral Schofield scored 16 points, Kyle Alexander had 12 points and 10 rebounds and the Volunteers breezed to a 79-51 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Sunday. By Steve Megargee. SENT: 660 words, with photos.

AUSTIN, Texas — Jazzmun Holmes scored 17 points, and No. 6 Mississippi State beat No. 10 Texas 67-49 on Sunday in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. The Bulldogs entered the marquee matchup of powerhouse programs coming off a series of early season routs. The result against Texas turned out to be more of the same: The Bulldogs were in complete control, even if the score wasn’t quite so out of hand. By Jim Vertuno. SENT: 300 words.